Resources for African-American & Black Students
The Georgia Southern University Counseling Center wants to continually commit to supporting all students, staff, and faculty. The Counseling Center’s mission and work is rooted in the idea that the spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community are essential conditions of life.
The Counseling Center is available to provide students a space for self-expression with culturally-competent staff members who have diverse educational and training backgrounds. Students are welcome to advocate for their counselor preference, which the center will work to accommodate. We offer individual, group, and relationship counseling services. Need additional supports? You can make an case management by contacting the Counseling Center. A counselor is available 24-hours a day by calling either of our office numbers at 912-478-5541 (Statesboro) or 912-344-2529 (Armstrong).
Mental Health Services and Resources
If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself and/or others, call 911. The Counseling Center also maintains 24/7 crisis access. Students can call during business hours and request to be transferred to the crisis counselor, or when the center is closed, can call 912-478-5541 and select option 2 from the voicemail menu. After-hours crisis services can also be used by campus partners needing a consultation about a student of concern.
Mental Health Services at Georgia Southern University
- Individual counseling is available at the Counseling Center to those students enrolled at Georgia Southern University. Individual counseling involves meeting one-on-one with a counselor for approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Not sure who you want to meet with? Feel free to check out our staff biographies, inquire during your intake appointment, or call and ask who might be a good fit.
- The Georgia Southern University Psychology Clinic is a low-cost organization which provides mental health services to the Statesboro area.
- The Counseling Center offers therapy groups every fall and spring semester. The benefits of group therapy include hearing perspectives of others who share similar circumstances and challenges. It is also a safe space where students can interact with others and talk openly about their concerns.
- Need a brief appointment to talk about an issue? Call the Counseling Center to set up a Solution Session. These same-day appointments are brief, solution-focused meetings to assist with reducing distress and creating a plan for moving forward.
Georgia Southern University Resources
About Racial Battle Fatigue
“Weathering the cumulative effects of living in a society characterized by white dominance and privilege produces a kind of physical and mental wear-and-tear that contributes to a host of psychological and physical ailments.”
Dr. Ebony McGee, Vanderbilt University
Racial battle fatigue is defined as the social-psychological stress response associated with being an African-American at a historically White institution. Signs of racial battle fatigue include: frustration, anger, exhaustion, withdrawal behaviors, depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, physical health concerns (Smith, Allen, & Danley, 2007). Some traditional coping methods, such as high effort coping or grit, can further perpetuate feelings of distress. Alternative coping strategies, such as being a part of a network, participating in social justice causes, engaging spiritual practices, relaxation, and seeking counseling, may be more helpful.
If you would like more information, we recommend reading this article: Racial Microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue, and Racism-Related Stress in Higher Education by Jeremy Franklin.
For a printable flier on racial battle fatigue, click here.
Coping with Racism & Discrimination
The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Georgia Southern University. Outside links are not under our control, and we cannot guarantee the content contained on them.
- Black Lives Matter: Meditations
- Black Lives Matter Resources
- Building Resilience to Manage Indirect Exposure to Terror by American Psychological Association
- Common Coping Strategies by Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
- Coping With Racism & Discrimination by California State University Monterey Bay
- Discrimination: What It Does and How to Cope by American Psychological Association
- Grief is a Direct Impact of Racism: Eight Ways to Support Yourself by Roberta K. Timothy
- Healing Justice is How We Can Sustain Black Lives by Prentis Hemphill
- Proactively Coping with Racism by Ryan C.T. DeLapp and Dr. Monnica T. Williams
- Racial Trauma is Real by Institution for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture
- Radical Self-Care in the Face of Mounting Racial Stress by the Psychology of Radical Healing Collective
- Self Care in the Face of Racial Injustice by Therapy for Black Girls
- Self-Care: How to Remain Vigilant in Your Pursuit of Justice and Keep Your Spirit Intact by Crystal Whaley at Essence
- Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Really Going Through It Right Now by Rachel Miller
- Why Self-Care is Crucial For People of Color (and Especially Activists) by Nutritious Life
- Tips for Self-Care: When Police Brutality Has You Questioning Humanity and Social Media Is Enough by Dr. Imani J. Walker
- 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country
Mental Health & Well-Being Resources
- Mental Health Resources of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color by the Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Black Well-being & Ally Resources by Columbia University Irving
- The Emotional Impact of Watching White People Wake Up to Racism in Real-time
- Emotional Restorative Self-Care video by Brandi Jackson Wellness
- Healing for Black Individuals (half-way down the page) by University of Kentucky
- “I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired” by University of Michigan
- Inclusive Mental Health Resources by Dominique Apollon
- How Restorative Yoga Can Help Heal Racial Wounding
- Racial Trauma Toolkit by Boston College
- Why People of Color Need Spaces Without White People
- Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others by Pepperdine University
- 101 Ways to Take Care of Yourself When the World Feels Overwhelming by Annie Wright
- 12 Black Mental-Health and Wellness Resources to Follow on Instagram
Podcasts
- Supporting Kids of Color in the Wake of Racialized Violence podcast by EmbraceRace co-founders Andrew Grant-Thomas and Melissa Giraud
- Therapy for Black Girls podcast
Additional Resources
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self–preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde
Last updated: 5/17/2022
JED Campus Member
JED Campus is a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation designed to help colleges and universities enhance emotional well-being and mental health promotion efforts, reduce substance abuse, and prevent suicide among students.